ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The inaugural Asheville Film Festival was held from Friday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Masonic Temple in downtown Asheville and featured over 30 films, including several produced in Asheville.
Read more about Asheville Film Festival here.
Read about my five favorite films from the first festival:
5. “A HOUSE FOR MY FAMILY” (2024, 30 min., directed by Sean Breitkreutz)
“A House for My Family” is one of the most impressive displays of low-budget production design I have ever seen. The urban decay and accumulated garbage of the surreal seaside short is convincingly realized and consecrated by a committed lead performance from Spencer Bang. If we’re lucky, Sean Breitkreutz will one day get the chance to channel his “Eraserhead”-esque sensibilities and penchant for practical effects into a strong career in Hollywood horror.
4. “GENERATIONAL” (2025, 18 min., directed by Joseph S.S. Galyean)
The winner of five awards at the Asheville Film Festival – Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Narrative Short and Best Film – “Generational” was a sensational achievement for writer-director Joseph S.S. Galyean. The short packs an emotional punch as a tender examination of parenting, inherited trauma and blue collar exhaustion while cleverly wending together past and present to an unexpected unified finale. J.D. Starnes, an Aaron Taylor Johnson lookalike and onscreen empathy machine, was well deserving of his Best Actor accolade for his heartbreaking performance as a single parent doing his best.
3. “BLACKLISTED: THE SACRED MAGIC OF BLACK CATS” (2025, The Fetzer Institute)
Shot at Asheville’s very own House of Black Cat Magic, The Fetzer Institute’s short documentary about discrimination against black cats and the magically-inclined folks who love them is a profoundly moving portrait of a unique Asheville establishment. “Blacklisted” is what all the best nonfiction shorts are made of: great B-roll, a subject worth examining and interviewees who know what they’re talking about. I was in tears by the end.
2. “THE CREPE CREEP” (2025, 9 min., directed by Jason Affolder)
It might be impossible to watch “The Crepe Creep” and its beautiful crepe-centric cinematography and not leave with a rumbling tummy. “The Crepe Creep” is a cute story about judgment and acceptance, but it really finds its legs, “The March of Progress” style, with its sense of humor. Every performer in the crepe cafe knocks their funny dialogue out of the park. Best of all, the story hinges on a walking fish man brought to life with charming practical effects, which is just speaking my language. There is not a sour note in the entire sweet “Crepe Creep” concoction.
1. “SCRIPT TEASE” (2025, directed by Chad Thurman)
My favorite film from the first Asheville Film Festival was easily “Script Tease,” a fantastic one-sentence premise turned into a hilarious giallo-flecked screenwriter satire. “Script Tease” presents a world where aspiring screenwriters can dial an illicit phone line and be affirmed of the genius of their screenplay. Between its absurd editing techniques, sweaty performances and red-and-purple lighting, this phone number film was quickly dialed in to my number one spot.
-
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is cute, copy-and-paste ‘Star Wars’
The first new “Star Wars” movie in seven years is here! While far, far away from the galaxy’s best “Star Wars” flick, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” offers up cuteness in overdrive.
-
From ‘Michael’ to ‘Mother Mary’: New movies to see or skip in May 2026
A Michael Jackson biopic, two Anne Hathaway vehicles and an Australian serial killer thriller are our movies to see, stream or skip this May. Find out which is which in our reviews.
-
New movies to see, stream or skip in April 2026
Looking for a movie to see in Asheville this April? Learn what to see, stream or skip with our reviews of a cult horror reboot, a fresh spin on “Hamlet,” a documentary of epic length and a niche new vampire flick.
-
Animation station: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and a new ‘Star Wars’ show – 828reviewsNOW
Check out our review of the not-so super “Super Mario Bros.” sequel and dive into our spoiler-free overview of the first eight episodes of “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord,” now streaming on Disney+.
-
Are ‘Ready or Not 2’ and ‘They Will Kill You’ the same movie? – 828reviewsNOW
In the latest case of ironic movie calendar confluence, two bloody movies about a pair of sisters battling satanic death cults were released inside a week of each other. Despite the oddly specific similarities of their premises, one is far more successful than the other.
-
‘Project Hail Mary’ is a grand, gorgeous, galactic good time – 828reviewsNOW
Ryan Gosling may be the most charming astronaut who has ever befriended a rocky alien spider-crab in the fun and fantastic-looking “Project Hail Mary.” Read our review for more.
-
Stabby’s dollhouse: ‘Dolly’ is derivative slasher fun – 828reviewsNOW
“Dolly,” a new horror film evoking slashers like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and filmed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, does Appalachian horror with gory panache. Read more in our review.
-
Going for gold: Oscars 2026 predictions and a printable ballot – 828reviewsNOW
The 98th Academy Awards are almost here. Before Hollywood’s biggest night commences, take a look at our predictions for what will win and what should win Oscar gold. Plus, print out a ballot to play alongside our predictions.
-
3 movies to see, stream or skip in March 2026 – 828reviewsNOW
A Pixar movie about beavers, humans and the bonds between them. A scathing documentary about the Alabama prison system. The latest installment in a long-running horror franchise. Which should you see, stream or skip? Find out in our review.
-
‘André Is an Idiot’ filmmakers on their hilarious, creative colonoscopy doc – 828reviewsNOW
“André Is an Idiot” is a funny, inventive documentary about the necessity of colonoscopies and the life and death of the creative, eccentric André Ricciardi. Read our interview with the filmmakers.
-
Oscars variety pack: ‘Kokuho,’ ‘Cutting Through Rocks,’ ‘Sirāt’ – 828reviewsNOW
In advance of the 98th Academy Awards next month, take a deeper look at three lesser-seen films up for Oscar gold: “Cutting Through Rocks,” a hopeful feminist documentary, “Kokuho,” an epic Japanese drama, and “Sirāt,” a weird, hypnotic road movie.
-
Killer double-feature: ‘How to Make a Killing’ and ‘Psycho Killer’ – 828reviewsNOW
Sometimes, the film release calendar feels like it’s winking at you. This weekend marks the debut of “How to Make a Killing,” a stylish thriller-comedy starring Glen Powell, and “Psycho Killer,” a well-shot, poorly-written serial killer slasher. Read our reviews of the deadly duo for more.
-
Oh bruther: ‘”Wuthering Heights”‘ is a frightful bore – 828reviewsNOW
Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie are the stars of “”Wuthering Heights”,” a romantic reimagining of the classic Emily Brontë novel by “Saltburn” director Emerald Fennell. Like a bad kiss, the film is dissatisfying and a little gross. Happy Valentine’s Day.
-
Charli XCX mockumentary ‘The Moment’ isn’t ‘Spinal Tap’ – 828reviewsNOW
…but it is a ton of neon, flashing fun. Read our review of the A24-produced pop star portrait below.
-
3 new movies to see, stream or skip in February 2026 – 828reviewsNOW
This February, we review a zany new sci-fi adventure from the director of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” an Oscar-nominated documentary about senior opera singers and the concluding installment of a horror movie trilogy. Which should you see, stream or skip? Find out in our review.
-
The well-meaning ‘Whistle’ is a bit of a whiff – 828reviewsNOW
We wouldn’t say that “Whistle” blows, but it definitely doesn’t sing. Corin Hardy’s horror flick is a love song to its genre, but too much of a clunky retread of other “death curse” flicks to feel fresh. Read more in our review.
-
‘Send Help’ is campy, gross and total paradise for horror fans – 828reviewsNOW
“Send Help” stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as workplace rivals stuck on a paradisiacal island turned deadly hunting ground. After 17 years away from the the genre, “Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi has returned to his roots with a fantastically campy piece of horror filmmaking. Read our review now.
-
Zombie movie ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ has braaaains – 828reviewsNOW
Following Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s return to the “28 Days Later” franchise last summer, director Nia DaCosta brings her own gruesome, meditative take to the zombie series with “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” Read our review for more.
-
Surprises, snubs and ‘Sinners’: Unpacking the 2026 Oscar nominations
The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards were presented Thursday morning by Danielle Brooks and Warren Wilson College alum Lewis Pullman, kicking off the race to Oscar gold this March. Read our breakdown of the surprises and snubs from the announcement.
-
‘The Rip’ is the rare Ben Affleck and Matt Damon movie to skip – 828reviewsNOW
“The Rip,” a new action crime thriller starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, was released on Netflix on Friday, Jan. 16. Read our review.
-
Zombies, a killer chimp and… water polo? ‘The Plague,’ ‘Primate,’ ‘We Bury the Dead’ – 828reviewsNOW
Read our reviews of a trio of horror flicks: “The Plague,” Charlie Polinger’s body horror flick about bullying at a water polo camp, “Primate,” Johannes Roberts’ chimpanzee slasher and “We Bury the Dead,” a thoughtful zombie movie starring “Star Wars” alum Daisy Ridley.
-
‘People We Meet on Vacation’ is more jet lag than romcom – 828reviewsNOW
The first big romantic comedy of 2026 has arrived. “People We Meet on Vacation,” adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Emily Henry and starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, will begin streaming on Netflix on Friday, Jan. 9. Read our review.
-
3 new movies to see, stream or skip in January 2026 – 828reviewsNOW
Two Amanda Seyfried movies and a true crime documentary are in the mix for new movies to see, stream or skip this month. Which is which? Find out in our review.
-
The 25 best movies of 2025 – 828reviewsNOW
2026 is almost here, which means it is time for our annual list of the best movies of the year.
-
‘Song Sung Blue’ is a messy melodrama, but sung sweet – 828reviewsNOW
There is something irresistible about Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” especially as performed by Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman. “Song Sung Blue” understands this very well. Read our full review of the musical melodrama below.
-
Top 5 international movies of 2025 – 828reviewsNOW
2025 was a fantastic year for global cinema. From searing docudramas to surreal celebrations of the film medium itself, we visit Brazil, China, Iran, Norway and Palestine to bring you the best international movies of 2025. Read our list.
-
Threequel ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a lukewarm rehash – 828reviewsNOW
When “Avatar: The Way of Water” was released in 2022, it had been 13 years since James Cameron’s revolutionary sci-fi epic first hit the scene. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” meanwhile, comes soaring into cinemas this weekend just three years after its predecessor, and this time, it feels a little less special. Read our full review.
-
Top 5 animated movies of 2025 – 828reviewsNOW
As the year winds to a close, 828reviewsNOW takes a look at the best movies of 2025. First things first: from gory sci-fi spectacles to French-language indies, we draw up a list of the year’s best animated features.
